galéna

Galéna is a term used for several related but distinct things, most notably the mineral galena and various places named Galena. The name appears in geology, mining history, and geography, often reflecting the mineral’s historical importance in lead production.

As a mineral, galena is lead sulfide (PbS) and the most important ore of lead. It commonly forms cubic crystals with a metallic luster and a lead-gray color. It has a Mohs hardness of about 2.5 and a relatively high specific gravity near 7.5. Galena occurs in hydrothermal vein systems and sedimentary environments, frequently alongside minerals such as sphalerite and calcite. It can contain trace amounts of silver and other metals, and has been a major source of lead for centuries, used in batteries, shielding, and various industrial applications.

As a place name, Galéna most prominently refers to Galena, Illinois, a city in the northwestern part of the state along the Mississippi River and the Galena River. It is known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and its historical association with the lead mining era that shaped the region. There is also a community named Galena in Alaska, located along the Yukon River, among other smaller communities bearing the name. In many cases, such locales derive their name from the mineral that once supported local mining activities or from early European terminology for lead ore.